Inside The Panthers

Pitt Lands in Andy Katz's New Power 36 Rankings

The Pitt Panthers look like a much stronger team with Blake Hinson back in the fold.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Lands in Andy Katz's New Power 36 Rankings
Pitt Lands in Andy Katz's New Power 36 Rankings /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers got a huge lift this week when last season's leading scorer and rebounder, Blake Hinson, announced that he would return to play his senior season in Pittsburgh. 

As a result, the Panthers have vaulted into national college basketball analyst Andy Katz's Power 36 rankings. Pitt, who was in line to lose four of its top five scorers and some depth pieces from last year's NCAA Tournament team, now checks in at No. 35 after filling out most of the open spots in its roster. 

Head coach Jeff Capel and company did more than just retain Hinson when forming the roster that will try to keep their momentum moving forward in 2023-24. 

They bring in a 2023 high school recruiting class - headlined by a trio of four-star prospects in Jaland Lowe, Carlton Carrington and Papa Kante - that ranked in the top 25 of 247Sports and Rivals' national rankings and made a couple of splashes in the transfer portal with former High Point Panther Zack Austin and Rhode Island Ram Ishmael Leggett. 

The Panthers still have one more open scholarship and roster spot to play around with. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Pitt's First Round of June Official Visitors

Jets Restructure Former Pitt S Jordan Whitehead's Contract

Pitt Misses Cut for Legacy WR Peter Gonzalez

Pitt Makes Top Five for Dayton Transfer Mike Sharavjamts

Three-Star DL Dominic Kirks Moves Up Official Vist to Pitt

Kickoff Times for Two More Pitt Home Games Announced

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

Home/Basketball